Clothes Washing Machine and Method of Operation Thereof

ABSTRACT

A machining machine and method of using the washing machine are described that incorporate a rinse cycle wherein the detergent-laden water is periodically or continuously drained from the tub while replacement water is periodically or continuously added to the tub during the entire time period of the rinse cycle or a significant portion thereof.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to machines used in the washing of clothing including the method of operating the machines.

BACKGROUND

Washing machines are well known and comprise several varieties. Top loading machines provide top access to the machines tub where the clothes to be washed are contained in a tub typically having an agitator to move the clothing within the tub. Front loading machines provide access to a tub from the front of the machine with rotation of the tub providing clothing movement. To facilitate cleaning water and various detergents and soaps are added to the tubs to help remove dirt and soil from the clothes.

To clean a load of clothing placed in a washing machine, the machine proceeds through a series of timed cycles that agitate (or move) the clothing in a proscribed manner typically in the presence of water, which may or may not include a detergent or soap. The first cycle is typically a wash cycle wherein water and detergent are added to the tub and the clothing within the tub is agitated to break down and remove dirt from the clothing. The wash cycle can comprise many variations. For instance, cold, warm or hot water may be used. The detergent may be added to the tub at different points during the cycle. The wash cycle may include periods of time wherein the clothes are not agitated and are permitted to soak in the water and detergent solution.

After a wash cycle is completed, the tub is typically spun to remove detergent-laden water and a rinse cycle is initiated. During a rinse cycle, hot, warm or cold clean water is introduced into the tub and the clothes are agitated to rinse the residual detergent from the clothes. As can be appreciated, the clean water introduced during the rinse cycle substantially and significantly dilutes any detergent and detergent suds that remain on the clothing after the wash cycle, but it does not and cannot completely eliminate all detergent residue from the clothes. Accordingly, washing machines often allow a user to select a second rinse cycle wherein the water from the first cycle is spun out of the tub and new clean water is introduced. The clothes are then agitated. This second rinse cycle further acts to further dilute the detergent residue on the clothing but also cannot completely remove it.

Next, the clothes are put through a final spin cycle. As can be appreciated, additional spin cycles that are usually shorter in length can be utilized by the wash and rinse cycles as well as between rinse cycles if more than one is used. The purpose of the final spin cycle is to remove dirty or soapy rinse water and wring the clothes as dry as possible to reduce the time necessary to air dry them or dry them in a dryer.

When removing washed clothes from the washer, it is not uncommon, especially in top loaders, to observe a detergent ring along what was the water line during the wash and/or rinse cycle. If soapy detergent residue is left on the sides of the tub, it is wholly reasonable to assume that at least some residue has been left in the clothes. This suspicion is confirmed wherein the cloths even after drying have a scented smell similar to the scent of the detergent used in the washer. Residue detergent can be aggravating to wearers who at may be annoyed by the perfumery smell or worse allergic. Ideally, a washing machine employing cycles that remove substantially all of the laundry detergent leaving only minimal residue is desired.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart depicting wash cycles used in a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a washing machine indicating the components of a washing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a machining machine utilizing a rinse cycle wherein the detergent-laden water is periodically or continuously drained from the tub while replacement water is periodically or continuously added to the tub during the entire time period of the rinse cycle or a significant portion thereof. Embodiments also include the method of operating a washing machine wherein the water is added to and drained from the washing machine during the rinse cycle as indicated above. Advantageously, detergent and detergent residue along with soil and dirt suspended in the water are more effectively removed from the washing machine resulting in clothes that have less residual detergent or dirt in and on them after the washing machine has completed the rinse cycle than if a traditional rinse cycle is utilized.

Terminology

The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document, including in the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, to the singular and plural variations of the defined word or phrase.

The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive; rather the term is inclusive, meaning either or both.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “one variation”, “a variation” and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or variation, is included in at least an embodiment or variation of the invention. The phrase “in one embodiment”, “in one variation” or similar phrases, as used in various places in the specification, are not necessarily meant to refer to the same embodiment or the same variation.

The term “couple” or “coupled” as used in this specification and appended claims refers to an indirect or direct physical connection between the identified elements, components, or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.

The term “directly coupled” or “coupled directly,” as used in this specification and appended claims, refers to a physical connection between identified elements, components, or objects, in which no other element, component, or object resides between those identified as being directly coupled.

The term “approximately,” as used in this specification and appended claims, refers to plus or minus 10% of the value given.

The term “about,” as used in this specification and appended claims, refers to plus or minus 20% of the value given.

The terms “generally” and “substantially,” as used in this specification and appended claims, mean mostly, or for the most part.

Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of a applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.

A Washing Machine with an Improved Rinse Cycle and Methods of Use Thereof

FIG. 1 is a flow chart indicating the various cycles of a washing machine performed during a wash program. FIG. 2 is a representation of a washing machine in block diagram form.

As indicated in block 105 of FIG. 1, a user first places clothes to be washed into a tub 205 a of the washing machine 200 through a door that is typically located on the top or front side of the machine. As indicated in block 110 detergent is also added to the machine typically either directly into the tub or into a specially provided compartment. Water is added to the tub through an inlet valve 210 connecting the washing machine to the household water supply. Cold and/or hot water taps may be utilized to fill the tub depending on the desired wash temperature.

After the water is added, a wash cycle is typically initiated as indicated in block 115. In some machines, other cycles can be run prior to the wash cycle. For instance, a soak cycle may be utilized wherein the clothes soak in water for a predetermined period of time to help loosen dirt and soil prior to the wash cycle. A wash cycle comprises the agitation of the clothing within the tub 205 a causing detergent laden water to slosh over the clothes and remove soil and dirt. Different types of agitation mechanisms are used in different types of washers. Top loaders typically operate by having a vertically orientated agitator 205 c rotates the clothes and pulls them down into the water as they come into contact with it proximate the waterline in the tub. The tub in front loaders typically rotates causing the clothes to tumble over each other into the soapy water. The wash cycle typically continues for a predetermined period of time. In some washing machines, users may chose parameters associated with the wash cycle that may increase the time of the cycle, the aggressiveness of the agitation and the soaking of the clothes to name a few.

When the wash cycle is complete, the tub 205 a is typically spun and the detergent and soil laden water is drained out of the tub through a water outlet valve 230. The rinse cycle is then initiated as indicated in block 120. The rinse cycle begins with adding clean water into the tub 205 by way of the water inlet valve 210 as indicated in block 125. The water can be hot, cold or warm depending on the chosen parameters associated with the rinse cycle. As indicated in block 130 the clothes are agitated in the tub of water rinsing detergent out of the clothes.

As a predetermined period of time after the start of the cycle, water is removed from the tub 205 a at a predetermined rate of drainage as indicated in block 135. As is to be expected the drain or water outlet valve 230 is typically located at a low point of the tub. As the water is drained, new clean water is added to the tub through the water inlet valve 210, which is typically located at a high point relative to the tub, at the about predetermined rate. Essentially, as dirty water is drained from the tub, clean water is added to the tub to replace it. This continues throughout at least a substantial portion of the rinse cycle if not the remaining entirety thereof.

In some variations, the water inlet and outlet valves 210 & 230 are held open simultaneously so that water drains from the tub 205 a at the same time clean water is added to the tub. This inflow and outflow can be continuous for a significant portion of the rinse cycle such that the inlet and outlet valves are held open to permit the predetermined rates of flow continuously throughout the wash cycle. In another variation, the outlet valve can be opened until a predetermined amount of dirty water is drained at which point the outlet valve is closed and the inlet valve is opened to permit the a similar amount of clean water into the tub to replace the dirty water at which point the clean water valve can be closed. Upon the closing of the inlet valve the outlet valve can reopen and the cyclic draining and refilling of the tub can continue. After a period of time presumably when the detergent has been substantially rinsed from the clothes, the rinse cycle is ended a spin cycle as indicated in block 145 is initiated.

The spin cycle typically rotates the tub 205 a at high speeds and forces any remaining water within the tub except for a residual amount held in the clothing to be expelled and drained from the tub.

Embodiments of a washing machine utilize in conjunction with the disclosed method can vary significantly; however, a typical embodiment comprises: a tub assembly 205 including the tub 205 a, a tub motor 205 b and optionally the agitator 205 c; the water inlet and outlet valves 210 & 230 respectively in fluid communication with the tub; a controller 215 including a timer 215 a; and a user interface 220. Optionally, some variations include one or more water sensors 230 to determine the cleanliness of the rinse water being drained from the tub.

The tub assembly 205 is configured to hold the clothing to be cleaned and the cleaning solution (typically water and detergent). The tub 205 a in most embodiments is cylindrically shaped having an open end, a closed end and a annular wall extending between the ends. In a top loading machine the open end faces upwardly; whereas, in a side loading machine the open end faces outwardly and is usually generally vertically orientated. In either configuration the tub is coupled with the motor 205 b either directly, through belts or by other means to facilitate rotation of the tub as required. Additionally, top end loading machines typically include the agitator 205 c that is located within the tub and one or both of rotates and reciprocates to circulate the clothing within the tub during the wash and rinse cycles. The agitator can have its own motor or utilize the tub motor.

The water inlet valve 210 is typically coupled to a hot and cold water supply, such as a household tap. The valve may include more than one valve to allow the tub to be filled with hot water, cold water or a combination thereof. As mentioned the valve is in communication with the tub 205 a to direct water into the tub. The water inlet valve can be of a variable flow type allowing the controller to control the rate of flow through the valve.

The water outlet valve 230 is typically coupled to a drain pipe to dispose of water evacuated from the tub. the location of the outlet for the outlet valve in the tub is typically located opposite or a distance from the inlet of the inlet valve 210 in the tub, such that replacement water is not immediately drained from the tub while the inlet and outlet valves are simultaneously open during embodiments of the rinse cycle. The water outlet valve can be of a variable flow type allowing the controller to control the rate of flow through the valve.

The wash program is controlled through the controller 215 that is operativelty coupled to the inlet and outlet valves 210 & 230, the tub motor 205 b and the tub agitator 205 c as applicable. The controller can comprise a mechanical switching means, an electric means, or an electronic means wherein a program is initiated and run by a microchip from instructions held in memory. The actual mechanism by which a wash program is initiated and controlled is not central to the present invention other than there exists a mechanism for controlling the cycles. Selection of particular wash programs and the intuition thereof are made through the user interface 220. the user interface can comprises knobs, buttons, touch screens or any suitable input means.

In some embodiments one or more water sensors 225 may be provided that sense properties of the rinse water being drained from the tube during the rinse operation. For instance, a turbidometer may be used to measure the turbidity of the dirty rinse water. When the water is sufficiently clear, the controller can be programmed to terminate the rinse cycle as the clearness of the water can be utilized as an indicator of the cleanliness and state of rinse of the clothes being washed. A PH meter or sensor can also be used wherein, the relative amount of detergent in the rinse water can be ascertained from the PH level of the water. If the PH level is within acceptable limits, the clothes may be determined to be sufficiently rinsed and the rinse cycle can then be terminated by the controller. Other types of sensors can be utilized as well. Further, sensors can also be located proximate the water inlet valve to measure the properties of the incoming water for comparison to the properties of the outgoing water. Based on how close the outgoing values are to the incoming values, the controller can make a determination whether the clothes are sufficiently rinsed. By using the foregoing sensors, the time of the rinse cycle is not arbitrarily set but varies as necessary to get the clothes acceptably clean and detergent free.

Variations and Other Embodiments

The various embodiments and variations thereof, illustrated in the accompanying Figures and/or described above, are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be appreciated that numerous other variations of the invention have been contemplated, as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure. All variations of the invention that read upon appended claims are intended and contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A method of operating a washing machine, the method comprising: providing a washing machine having a tub with at least one water inlet valve and at least one water outlet valve in operative communication with the tub; adding clothes to the tub; adding water to the tub adding detergent to the tub; performing a wash cycle with water and detergent in the tub by agitating the clothes within the tub; draining water from tub after wash cycle; performing a rinse cycle for a first period of time, the rinse cycle including, (a) adding a first volume water to the tub, (b) agitating the clothes in the water, (c) for a second period of time equal to or less than the first period of time, draining water from the tub at a first rate while proximately adding water to the tub at about the first rate; and performing a spin cycle by spinning the tub and draining water from the tub.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second period of time comprises a substantial majority of the first period of time.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein draining water from the tub at a first rate while proximately adding water to the tub at about the first rate is performed simultaneously with said agitating the clothes in the water.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein draining water from the tub at a first rate while contemporaneous adding water to the tub at about the first rate is performed simultaneously with said agitating the clothes in the water.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said wherein said draining the water from the tub at a first rate during the rinse cycle is performed simultaneously with adding water to the tub at about the first rate.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first rate is sufficient to replace the first volume two or more times during the second period.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first rate is sufficient to replace the first volume four or more times during the second period.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first rate is sufficient to replace the first volume six or more times during the second period.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said draining water from the tub at a first rate while contemporaneous adding water to the tub at about the first rate comprises alternately draining the tub by opening the water inlet valve with the water inlet valve closed, and filling the tub by opening the water inlet valve with the water outlet valve closed.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein draining water from the tub at a first rate while proximately adding water to the tub at about the first rate is performed simultaneously with said agitating the clothes in the water.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second period of time are variable responsive to one or more water sensors proximate the water outlet valve.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more water sensors comprise a turbidity sensor.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more water sensors comprise a PH sensor.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second period of time are terminated within a third period of time based on one or more values measured by the one or more sensors.
 15. A washing machine comprising: a tub; a water inlet valve for providing water to the tub; a water outlet valve for draining water from the tub; a controller operatively coupled to the water inlet valve and the water outlet valve; and a user interface coupled to the controller; wherein the controller is configured to perform a rinse cycle with water being drained from the tub through water outlet valve and water being added to the tub through the water inlet valve throughout the rinse cycle.
 16. The washing machine of claim 15 wherein the water inlet valve and the water outlet valve comprise variable flow valves.
 17. The washing machine of claim 15, further comprising one or more water sensors located proximate the water outlet valve, the one or more sensors being configured to measure properties of the water being drained from the tub.
 18. The washing machine of claim 17, wherein the one or more water sensors comprise a at least PH sensor.
 19. The washing machine of claim 17, wherein the one or more water sensors comprise a at least turbidity sensor.
 20. The washing machine of claim 17 further including one or more additional sensor located proximate the water inlet valve, the one or more additional sensors being configured to measure properties of the water before entering the tub. 